Archery / backpack hunting the new Crossfit?

[3forks]

Has anybody else noticed a change in the demographic typically associated with archery?

Seems like a lot more guys getting into archery are doing it specifically to pursue backpack hunting.

I know the paleo/Crossfit trend influences things quite a bit because people want to hunt the food they eat; but I'm surprised how many people are buying bows and talking about backpacking. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad for the influx of pro-hunting / archery enthusiasts - but my area has reached a critical mass of Mountain Ops flat billed hats and compression socks!

 

[Mtslackcountry]

Where do you live bud? I have noticed that a bit hear in western Montana but its not specific to archery. People like to romanticize... I enjoy backpack hunts myself but don't enjoy backpacking per say. I back pack hunt more during rifle season late October- November than I do during our archery season. def Lots more people doing the back pack hunts in last 5 years.

 

[Nick Muche]

I personally feel that it is a much more enjoyable way to hunt. You get to experience way more while spending several nights out on the mountain and I feel that adds a ton to the overall enjoyment I get out of hunting. I don't do it because it's "cool" or "hip", I do it because I love doing it.

 

[toadmeister]

I personally feel that it is a much more enjoyable way to hunt. You get to experience way more while spending several nights out on the mountain and I feel that adds a ton to the overall enjoyment I get out of hunting. I don't do it because it's "cool" or "hip", I do it because I love doing it.

Pretty sure the hipsters say the same

LOL, just giving you a hard time. If it's a crime to want that, I'm guilty.

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[TJ]

I personally feel that it is a much more enjoyable way to hunt. You get to experience way more while spending several nights out on the mountain and I feel that adds a ton to the overall enjoyment I get out of hunting. I don't do it because it's "cool" or "hip", I do it because I love doing it.

Very well said Nick. ^^^^^^^^^^^

I can't think of anything I'd rather do than this. Spiking out & chasing elk.
Never been cool or hip, no need in trying to start now!!

 

[3forks]

Where do you live bud? I have noticed that a bit hear in western Montana but its not specific to archery. People like to romanticize... I enjoy backpack hunts myself but don't enjoy backpacking per say. I back pack hunt more during rifle season late October- November than I do during our archery season. def Lots more people doing the back pack hunts in last 5 years.

The front range of Colorado, so essentially the epicenter for people with disposable income to spend on the "start up" kit of their choice.

 

[3forks]

Very well said Nick. ^^^^^^^^^^^

I can't think of anything I'd rather do than this. Spiking out & chasing elk.
Never been cool or hip, no need in trying to start now!!

Get a flat billed Mountain Ops hat and the biggest Kuiu decal for your vehicle you can find and you'll be instantly cool.

 

[Mtslackcountry]

The front range of Colorado, so essentially the epicenter for people with disposable income to spend on the "start up" kit of their choice.

Yea I got it good up here in Montana. I try to ignore the people like that around here. More and more show up everyday but the worst offenders seem to live in the Bozeman area so thankfully I don't have to see it as much. Same goes for backcountry skiing, fly fishing, hunting, lots of "guides" that are just trustafarians living the dream BRO... I just laugh and ignore. I do get pissed if they blog and blow up good spots on the social media. If it pisses you off that much consider the move to Idaho, Wyoming or Montana. A lot less shit dicks to deal with

 

[3forks]

I'm a Colorado native, but lived in Bozeman for 15 years. I've been back in CO for a year now due to my job, but you're certainly right. There are less bro's up there than here, but the BS I left Colorado for was becoming more and more common up there too.

Lots of dig me's who would rather chug PBR's in the parking lot and talk about their gear than actually use it.

All the marketing guys in the skiing, hunting, and fishing industry you mention are doing a good job of attracting new users and it would be hard to argue that's not a good thing. Hopefully, those same new hunters, skiers, and fisherman, will realize the importance of access issues and we'll have even more influence as sportsman.

Hope I don't sound like a dick... I'm sure there were crusty old dudes wearing plaid Filson hunting jackets griping about me in my Patagonia fleece crowding them out of their hunting areas too.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

No demographic...everybody bow hunts....even Katniss-emulating young ladies.

 

[Mtslackcountry]

hit nail on head. For every person you sterotype into a poser there is another guy probably thinking the same about you. Its funny how the world goes round. Im 33 yrs old and stay away from social media for lots of reasons but one of them is the self fellatio that goes on and the constant need for attention/ approval. When I want a cheap beer I drink natty light... ha ha. I don't know how or why PBR became the hip beer. I think it tastes like shit and isn't all that cheap.

 

[TJ]

Get a flat billed Mountain Ops hat and the biggest Kuiu decal for your vehicle you can find and you'll be instantly cool.

Yes, I talked to guy at the trail head last year just like that. Wearing a KUIU gear envy t-shirt. Big jacked PU with all the Mt Ops and Kuiu decals.

It's like I was country when country wasn't cool -

 

[Nick Muche]

PBR is just fine! Then again, I grew up in WI and it's what we drank.

 

[ChrisS]

PBR became a hip beer because ownership used innovative marketing to younger drinkers as a non-Bud, non-miller option in the early 2000's. The marketers were really savvy and went on to bigger things. PBR has been sold a few times since. They're marketing heavier than ever now.

This is a good article on how they came out of a 90% sales decline: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...0604_1_pabst-brands-beer-brands-pabst-brewing


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[cuerro viejo]

Has anybody else noticed a change in the demographic typically associated with archery?

Seems like a lot more guys getting into archery are doing it specifically to pursue backpack hunting.

I know the paleo/Crossfit trend influences things quite a bit because people want to hunt the food they eat; but I'm surprised how many people are buying bows and talking about backpacking. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad for the influx of pro-hunting / archery enthusiasts - but my area has reached a critical mass of Mountain Ops flat billed hats and compression socks!

Millennial Marketing at its finest with that said its a good image for hunting IMO. The re-emphasis on health and mountain to plate is an even better image.

It's fun watching companies evolve. UA love them or hate them kind of started the trend with their " Athletes Hunt" campaign 8 years ago.

We just have to remember we can't alienate each other on how we choose to hunt.

 

[poisonarrow]

At the Conservation and Hunting Expo last year I concluded there are two types of hunters these days. The Hollywood type and the hunter type. The lines were unreal for a autograph. UUgh.

 

[sneaky]

Ha, you think the front range has a lot of flat billed Mtn Ops hat wearing mirror queens you should come to Utah, the epicenter of multi level marketing schemes and "look at me" types. Makes me want to vomit sometimes. BTW, I'm from back east originally, not from here lol

 

[2ski]

PBR became the beer it is today because they really started to market it to Mountain locals, specifically snowboarders. That's why it's so popular in Bozeman and Missoula. It's increased I popularity but those mtn towns are still their bread and butter.

As far as poser hunters, Bozeman has always had them. Look at what is for sale at Schnees. When I first moved here it was all Filson. Now it's Sitka.

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[Desk Jockey]

I think it sits at the confluence of a few trends from outside of hunting.

Foodie>>>locovore>>>>hunter gatherer
Hard core fitness>>>challenge type fitness>>>spartan races, etc
Sports nutrition>>>specialized sports nutrition>>>hunting and outdoor nutrition
Sporting apparel + hunting apparel = hunting athlete apparel

People are looking for things that are challenging and push the limit. Wrap some slick marketing around that. Write a few magazine articles about it and it looks like everyone is doing it that way.

Truth is that extreme athlete approach to hunting is growing but it is far from the norm. For every cam Hanes (I am fan of his BTW) heading deep into the mountains swaddled in the latest under armour, there are 10,000 maybe 100,000 maybe a million Bubbas in the same Carhart jacket they wear to work who are out there getting it done.

If it brings some attention to the sport and some money to the industry, so be it.

The real hunters, both the cam Hanes and the Bubbas with the beer guts, will be here long after the hipsters and the wanna be's have moved on to burning off their eyebrows with DIY blacksmithing or crapping in buckets to make their own garden soil or whatever is next.

 

[Mmcan]

PBR is just fine! Then again, I grew up in WI and it's what we drank.

Wait. What? PBR???

No Leinies?
Color me suspicious,...

And enjoy, regardless!!